“Please, Young Master Qi, have a seat. Lüliu, serve some tea.”
Yun Zhiyue secretly observed him.
She hadn’t expected the second young master of the Cavalry General’s Manor to enjoy mathematics.
A plan quietly formed in her mind.
“Yes, Miss.”
Before long, Lüliu brought over the tea.
“Thank you, miss.”
Qi Yanqing sat down smoothly and spread the papers across the table.
“Miss, do you have an abacus? May I borrow it for a moment?”
Yun Zhiyue tilted her chin slightly toward the side.
Understanding immediately, Lüliu went to the counter and brought back an abacus.
After taking it, Qi Yanqing began moving the beads rapidly.
In less than a moment, he reached a conclusion.
“Miss, is this correct?”
Yun Zhiyue nodded.
“It is correct. However, calculating this way is rather troublesome. I usually don’t use an abacus.”
“I use the multiplication table and division table for mental calculations instead. It’s much simpler and more convenient.”
The man looked puzzled.
“What are the multiplication and division tables? I’ve never heard of them before. I hope Miss can enlighten me.”
Yun Zhiyue picked up the teapot, poured him another cup, and handed it over.
“Does Young Master intend to become an accountant?”
“You may not know this, but the multiplication and division tables are the secret art of the Yun family. We normally do not share them with outsiders.”
The guard beside him frowned.
“How presumptuous! Our second young master holds a noble status. How could he possibly become a mere accountant?”
Yun Zhiyue did not get angry.
Instead, she pushed the teacup slightly closer.
“So Young Master Qi also believes accountants are beneath him?”
“In that case, please leave.”
Qi Yanqing turned and lightly rebuked the guard.
“Wuxi, do not be rude.”
He accepted the teacup and took a gentle sip.
His eyes brightened slightly.
“This tea is cool and refreshing, sweet and sour. Very delicious.”
After pondering briefly, he asked,
“What if I do become this accountant?”
Yun Zhiyue lowered her eyes and smiled softly.
“If Young Master becomes the accountant, then this secret art may naturally be taught to you.”
Truthfully, the mathematical problem alone had already sparked his interest.
Not to mention this so-called multiplication table that allowed calculations without using an abacus.
Qi Yanqing felt as though a hook had caught onto his heart, making him unbearably curious.
“I’ll do it.”
“Young Master is truly talented. It is the teahouse’s good fortune.”
“Lüliu, bring out the dishes so Young Master Qi may sample the foods our teahouse will soon sell.”
Turning around, Yun Zhiyue took up a brush and began writing the multiplication and division tables onto paper.
After a moment’s thought, she also wrote down Arabic numerals, along with methods for solving arithmetic problems.
Dressed in a light green silk robe, she resembled a tender spring sprout wrapped in morning dew.
With lowered eyes and brush in hand, she wrote with complete focus.
Qi Yanqing originally wanted to lean closer for a better look, but thinking it inappropriate, he shifted his attention to the dishes on the table instead.
The foods looked unusual and intriguing.
He picked up a piece and placed it into his mouth.
Crispy. Savory.
He then sampled another dish.
Tangy, spicy, refreshing, crunchy—delicious.
Unable to resist, he tasted each dish one after another.
One white dessert resembling tofu cubes was sprinkled with red beans. It tasted sweet, tender, silky smooth, with a faint milk fragrance.
These foods all possessed unique flavors and were exceptionally delicious.
When Yun Zhiyue finally looked up after finishing her writing, half the dishes on the table had already disappeared.
Seeing Qi Yanqing’s expression, she quietly raised an eyebrow.
It seemed he was quite satisfied.
Noticing her gaze, the man paused awkwardly.
“Ahem… the dishes in Miss’s establishment are indeed unique. The flavors are excellent.”
Yun Zhiyue pushed the papers toward him.
“I’m glad Young Master Qi enjoys them.”
Qi Yanqing picked up the papers and instantly lit up with delight.
“This secret art truly lives up to its reputation. The phrases are easy to recite, and the calculations are astonishingly convenient. My trip today was not in vain.”
“But what do these symbols in the lower corner mean?”
Yun Zhiyue explained calmly,
“These are called Arabic numerals. They’re used for bookkeeping. It’s much more convenient this way.”
Afterward, she taught him how to read them and how to use them for bookkeeping and calculations.
Qi Yanqing suddenly understood.
“So that’s how it is. Thank you, Miss.”
“The teahouse opens tomorrow at the Hour of the Snake. Young Master Qi only needs to arrive at the second quarter of the hour.”
“Alright.”
At the Yun residence.
Madam Yun’s eyes were full of concern as she handed a bowl of pork rib soup to her daughter.
“My precious daughter has worked far too hard these past few days. Look how thin your face has become. Your mother’s heart aches for you. Here, drink some soup to nourish your body.”
She then glared at the man beside her.
“It’s all your father’s fault for being useless. Otherwise, why would our precious daughter need to work personally?”
Master Yun rubbed his nose awkwardly, guilt visible in his eyes.
“My wife speaks the truth.”
Seeing the worry in Madam Yun’s eyes moved Yun Zhiyue deeply.
In her previous life, her parents had died early.
To protect the enormous family fortune, she had switched from studying dance and music to learning finance, business management, culinary arts, schemes, and more.
Every day had been completely packed, and she had never once complained of being tired again.
She never expected that in this life, she would once more gain loving parents.
It felt wonderful.
Yun Zhiyue unconsciously smiled.
“Thank you, Mother. Your daughter isn’t suffering.”
“The teahouse will reopen tomorrow. Father and Mother should come and take a look.”
After lunch, Yun Zhiyue returned to her room.
“Lüliu, bring the palace token and deliver this letter to the Third Princess.”
She placed several written lines of poetry into an envelope and handed it to the maid.
“Yes, Miss.”
On busy streets throughout the capital, red notices appeared pasted onto walls.
At a bustling crossroads in South City, crowds gathered in discussion.
“Hey, did you hear? Tomorrow Yuzhuan Teahouse is holding a poetry appreciation event! Tea will be provided for free. If your poem is good enough, it might even be displayed in the teahouse. How honorable would that be?”
“Such a good thing exists?”
“I heard there are even several famous poetic couplets there. Noble young masters from aristocratic families will also attend.”
“But what exactly is Yuzhuan Teahouse? Where is it?”
“It’s the fourth shop on the left side of Huai’an Street in South City.”
“Hey, are you going? The tea’s free anyway. Might as well drink it.”
Inside the Eastern Palace.
“Imperial Brother, what do you think of these verses?”
Xiao Zhaoning lounged lazily in her chair, occasionally swinging her feet.
“Can you come up with the next lines?”
Across from her sat a man dressed in a dark python robe embroidered with golden thread, wearing a jade crown upon his head.
Holding the paper, his gaze remained fixed upon the poetry.
“Where did these verses come from? Is there a continuation?”
Xiao Zhaoning shook her head.
“A friend gifted these lines to me. I don’t know the next part either.”
“However, that friend will hold a poetry gathering tomorrow at Yuzhuan Teahouse in South City. If Imperial Brother wishes to know more, why not accompany me tomorrow to take a look?”
The man frowned slightly.
“The same friend who gave you those strange foods?”
“Who exactly is this person?”
Xiao Zhaoning nodded.
“Yes. If Imperial Brother wants to know, wouldn’t it be easier to see personally?”
This person was indeed peculiar.
Not only could they create unusual delicacies, but they could also compose poetry.
He would definitely investigate further.
At the Grand Tutor’s Manor.
Before a purple sandalwood desk stood a young woman dressed in a moon-white ruqun embroidered with butterfly patterns.
Graceful as jade, she held her brush poised elegantly while ink flowed across the page, every character filled with romantic sentiment.
Suddenly, a maid wearing a pale pink dress with double buns entered.
“Miss, a letter from the Third Princess.”
The young woman paused.
Her delicate fingers accepted the letter and unfolded it.
Moments later, she lowered her eyes and lightly pressed her lips together.
The smile blooming at the corners of her eyes resembled ripples spreading across a moonlit lake.